Introduction: pyrargyrite is typically found in low to medium temperature hydrothermal veins, where it may be associated with tetrahedrite, galena, sphalerite and other silver sulphosalts. It also occurs in the rare but sometimes economically important 'five-metals association', where it is accompanied by other Ag minerals plus those of Ni, Co, As and Bi. Pyrargyrite is one of the so-called Ruby Silvers - a group of silver minerals that are red when fresh (especially the arsenic analogue of pyrargyrite, proustite - Ag₃AsS₃) but which characteristically tarnish black on exposure to bright light.

Occurrence in Wales: the Tyddyn Gwladys mine, which worked mesothermal veins in the Dolgellau Gold-belt, was long known for its localized but high-grade silver mineralization and an interesting account is presented by Hall (1990). Discrete silver minerals were known to occur in the lodes as long ago as the late 19th Century and using ore petrography and electron microprobe analyses, Gilbey (1968) finally established their identity and composition, with pyrargyrite being among the species present.

Last saved full search

Alphabetical search:

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z